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Sony XBA-NC85D

Sony XBA-NC85D
Sony XBA-NC85DSony XBA-NC85DSony XBA-NC85DSony XBA-NC85DSony XBA-NC85DSony XBA-NC85DSony XBA-NC85DSony XBA-NC85DSony XBA-NC85DSony XBA-NC85D
alaScore 79

33 reviews

Apr, 2024

alaTest has collected and analyzed 33 reviews of Sony XBA-NC85D. The average rating for this product is 2.8/5, compared to an average rating of 4.0/5 for other Headphones for all reviews. Reviewers really like the size and comfort. The usability and portability also get good feedback, whereas there are some mixed comments about the noise isolation. Some have doubts about the durability and bass quality.

sound, portability, usability, comfort, size

price, bass quality, durability

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Headphones the Sony XBA-NC85D is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 79/100 = Good quality.

Review analysis

(Based on 33 reviews)

Expert Reviews  

User Reviews  

Review Ratings

  (29% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews   (10% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews   (6% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews   (19% of reviews)
Show all 2 star reviews   (35% of reviews)
Show all 1 star reviews

Features

sound
  Show positive (71%)Show negative (29%)(Show all)
price
  Show positive (26%)Show negative (74%)(Show all)
bass quality
  Show positive (38%)Show negative (62%)(Show all)
noise isolation
  Show positive (55%)Show negative (45%)(Show all)
portability
  Show positive (60%)Show negative (40%)(Show all)
usability
  Show positive (56%)Show negative (44%)(Show all)
durability
  Show positive (38%)Show negative (63%)(Show all)
comfort
  Show positive (63%)Show negative (38%)(Show all)
size
  Show positive (57%)Show negative (43%)(Show all)
design
  Show positive (80%)Show negative (20%)(Show all)
treble quality
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
mids quality
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
reliability
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
Show more features

Showing 26 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews

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Showing 1 - 26 of 26 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (7)

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Sony XBA-NC85D

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 18 user reviews of Sony XBA-NC85D from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 2.6/5, compared to an average user rating of 3.9/5 for other Headphones on Amazon.com. Reviewers are impressed by the size and noise isolation. The comfort and portability are also mentioned favorably. Some have doubts about the durability and bass quality. There are some mixed opinions about the usability.

sound, portability, comfort, noise isolation, size

price, bass quality, durability

39% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Expert review by : Tom Morgan (expertreviews.co.uk)

Sony XBA-NC85 review

 

Eradicating the battery pack is a step forward, but the NC85s are incredibly expensive

Jul, 2013
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Expert review by : Steve Guttenberg (cnet.co.uk)

Sony XBA-NC85D review

 

Balanced-armature (BA) designs produce lower distortion and cleaner sound than conventional headphone driver types, which are essentially miniature speaker drivers. Sony currently makes 11 balanced-armature models, with the $499.99 XBA-NC85D...

The Sony XBA-NC85D noise-canceling in-ear headphones feature batteries conveniently built in to the earpieces that recharge with the included USB stick.

The build quality doesn't justify its ambitious price, and they fall short in sound quality and noise-canceling performance. Your music also dies when the battery runs out, and the tangle-prone wire lacks inline controls as well as a microphone.

The Sony XBA-NC85D is marginally effective at canceling noise and its disappointing sound quality does nothing to offset the exorbitant price.

Mar, 2012
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Expert review by : Steve Guttenberg (cnet.com)

Sony XBA-NC85D review

 

Balanced-armature (BA) designs produce lower distortion and cleaner sound than conventional headphone driver types, which are essentially miniature speaker drivers. Sony currently makes 11 balanced-armature models, with the $499.99 XBA-NC85D...

The Sony XBA-NC85D noise-canceling in-ear headphones feature batteries conveniently built in to the earpieces that recharge with the included USB stick.

The build quality doesn't justify its ambitious price, and they fall short in sound quality and noise-canceling performance. Your music also dies when the battery runs out, and the tangle-prone wire lacks inline controls as well as a microphone.

The Sony XBA-NC85D is marginally effective at canceling noise and its disappointing sound quality does nothing to offset the exorbitant price.

Mar, 2012
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Expert review by : Tim Gideon (pcmag.com)

Sony XBA-NC85D

 

Sony's XBA-NC85D is the first-ever in-ear noise canceling earphone pair without an in-line box to house the circuitry, but it suffers from some deep bass distortion and a high price tag.

First in-ear, box-free noise-cancellation earphones. Offers solid noise canceling in loud environments. Quality audio performance with subtle bass response at moderate levels. Rechargeable via USB dongle.

Expensive. Doesn't output audio in passive mode. Distorts on deep bass at high volumes. Noise-cancellation circuitry emits audible hiss in certain scenarios.

More Headphone Reviews:• Etymotic ER4 SR• Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro• Zipbuds 26• Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC• AKG N60 NC Wireless• more

Feb, 2012
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Consumer review (sony.com)

big disappointment value for money

 

battery runs out very quick. not a great noise canceling and actually big disappointment for the money paid.

battery runs out very quick

Feb, 2013
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Consumer review (sony.com)

Disappointing

 

The Sony XBANC85D noise cancelling earbuds are disappointing. The sound is brittle and harsh, even when the signal is equalized to reduce treble or to boost bass. This is especially noticeable with vocal music and solo piano, though less so with...

Attractive design

Poor sound, poor noise cancelling

Sep, 2012
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Consumer review (sony.com)

really good

 

it's a really good headphone. The noise is almost completely canceled, the bass is great, and the overall experience is excellent!

Aug, 2012
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Consumer review (sony.com)

XBA NC 85D deception

 

I have to try to use this headphones since 6 months that I bought, with several PMP ( ipod,sony walkman, cowon and samsung galaxy player) for to have all arguments and give a chance, but the result ALWAYS was the same: 1- the sound is terrible ( the...

none

expensive- porr performance- cost

Jul, 2012
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Price comparison for Sony XBA-NC85D